Imaging enclosure apparatus and methods

Abstract

An imaging apparatus for imaging an object has an enclosure chassis that defines an enclosed imaging volume and that provides an imaging aperture to a camera apparatus that mounts against the chassis and that further provides at least a first lateral access opening for access to the object. A light-obstructing gasket is coupled to the enclosure chassis and has at least a first foldable lateral access leaf that folds to a first position against the first lateral access opening to block ambient light through the first lateral access opening and that folds away from the first lateral access opening to a second position to allow access to the object.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An imaging apparatus for imaging an object, the apparatus comprising:
 an enclosure chassis that defines an enclosed imaging volume and that provides an imaging aperture to a camera apparatus that mounts against the chassis and that further provides at least a first lateral access opening for access to the object; 
 a platform having a light source that is energizable for illuminating the enclosed imaging volume through an illumination opening in the enclosure chassis; 
 and 
 a light-obstructing gasket that is coupled to the enclosure chassis and that has at least a first foldable lateral access leaf that folds to a first position against the first lateral access opening to block ambient light through the first lateral access opening and that folds away from the first lateral access opening to a second position to allow access to the object. 
 
     
     
       2. The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the light-obstructing gasket further obstructs light entry between the enclosure chassis and the platform. 
     
     
       3. The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first foldable lateral access leaf lies against the platform when in the second position. 
     
     
       4. The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure chassis further provides a second lateral access opening for access to the object and wherein the light-obstructing gasket further has a second foldable lateral access leaf that folds removably against and away from the second access opening. 
     
     
       5. The imaging apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the second foldable lateral access leaf is bilaterally opposed to the first foldable lateral access leaf. 
     
     
       6. The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first foldable lateral access leaf is magnetically attracted to the first position against the first lateral access opening. 
     
     
       7. The imaging apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the first foldable lateral access leaf further comprises one or more stiffener elements that are formed from a magnetic or from a ferromagnetic material. 
     
     
       8. The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising one or more hinge elements that allow pivoting of the camera apparatus against or away from a surface of the enclosure chassis. 
     
     
       9. An imaging apparatus for imaging an object, the apparatus comprising:
 an enclosure chassis that defines an enclosed imaging volume and that provides an imaging aperture to a camera apparatus that mounts against the chassis at one or more hinge elements, wherein the hinge elements allow pivoting of the camera apparatus to a first position lying against a surface of the enclosure chassis or to a second position that is pivoted outward from the surface of the enclosure chassis, and wherein the enclosure chassis further provides at least a first access opening for access to the object, wherein the first access opening has a first repositionable cover for blocking ambient light. 
 
     
     
       10. The imaging apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the enclosure chassis further comprises one or more illumination sources that are energizable for providing light to the object. 
     
     
       11. The imaging apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the enclosure chassis further comprises at least first and second illumination sources that are energizable for providing light to the object and wherein the first and second illumination sources have substantially non-overlapping wavelength profiles. 
     
     
       12. The imaging apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising at least one illumination status indicator that is indicative of an energized state of at least one of the at least first and second illumination sources and wherein the at least one indicator lies within the field of view of the camera apparatus at the imaging aperture. 
     
     
       13. The imaging apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the first illumination source is an ultraviolet source. 
     
     
       14. The imaging apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the second illumination source is a visible source. 
     
     
       15. The imaging apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a platform having a light source that is energizable for illuminating the enclosed imaging volume through an illumination opening in the enclosure chassis. 
     
     
       16. The imaging apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the enclosure chassis further provides a second access opening for access to the object and wherein the second access opening has a second repositionable cover for blocking the ambient light. 
     
     
       17. The imaging apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the second access opening is a lateral access opening. 
     
     
       18. The imaging apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the second repositionable cover is bilaterally opposed to the first repositionable cover. 
     
     
       19. The imaging apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the first access opening is a lateral access opening. 
     
     
       20. An imaging apparatus for imaging an object, the apparatus comprising:
 an enclosure chassis that defines an enclosed imaging volume and that provides an imaging aperture to a camera apparatus that mounts against the chassis and that further provides at least a first lateral access opening for access to the object; 
 a repositionable cover that is coupled to the enclosure chassis and that has at least a first position against the first lateral access opening to block ambient light through the first lateral access opening and a second position to allow access to the object; 
 an illumination source that is energizable to provide illumination within the enclosure chassis; 
 and 
 an illumination status indicator that is indicative of an energized state of the illumination source and wherein the at least one indicator lies within the field of view of the camera apparatus at the imaging aperture.